Simulator Videos: Engine failure after takeoff - land straight ahead

Here's the second in our video series about what you could do if your engine fails shortly after takeoff.  In the last video (found here) we looked at what would happen if the pilot attempted to return to the airport, with disastrous results.  Turning back to the airport is generally a recipe for disaster below an altitude of even 1,500 feet - and that all depends on how steeply the pilot climbs out.  If you climb shallow (and speed away from the airport), the required altitude might be even higher than that. 

In this next video, we'll have Mike attempt to land straight ahead but in a congested area.  There are trees, buildings, and roads but not too many great options.  He'll make do with what he's got.  Have a look:

As you could see, landing straight ahead is a little better than trying to turn back... Mike chose to land in a field next to the river off his nose.  There was a road off to his right but it wasn't very straight at all and that was pretty much it.  There were numerous things in the field which made it less than a perfect place to land: ditches and holes.  The aircraft in this case rolled over when the left main collapsed, bounced into the air, and then continued to roll over and come to rest inverted. 

Would Mike have survived?  There's a fair chance of that.  I'd say there's a very low chance that he'd have survived unharmed, but I don't think it's necessarily a death sentence.  He'd probably be walking with a limp for the rest of his life, at least.  The airplane is surely totaled and he's likely going to need help getting out of the inverted aircraft.  If there's a fire, the risk to his life goes up even more. 

I hesitate to put a clear percentage chance to his survival simplly because that kind of analysis isn't plausible.  I think we could easily agree that hitting a ditch and rolling the airplane, even at stall speeds around 60 knots, would not end well in most cases. 

I'll post the next video in this series which explores the options that most don't choose, at least the first time, but is the most survivable of the three.

If you saw the last video, you'll remember that we're now offering a program that will allow pilots unlimited access to an instructor and our simulator for a really low price.  You can find out more about the program by clicking here.

The short form is that for the price of 3,295 you get all the simulator training and instruction that you want for a year.  This is equal to about two and a half days of training so if you could find an excuse to do even that much, you'd be ahead.  Spouses are allowed to attend training and take part in a pinch-hitter style course at no cost.  We're also working with Starr Aviation Underwriters to offer a 10% discount off your insurance premiums.

Give us a call at (866) 557-1501 or an email at info@theflightacademy.com if you'd like to talk about this program.  Don't forget to view our options for people from out of town and some examples of the training you can receive found under the tab along the top titled Unlimited Simulator. 

Safe flying!

John Fiscus

Chief Pilot, The Flight Academy

www.theflightacademy.com